ONCE again Thurrock Rugby Club firsts have found themselves shifted around on the whim of the RFU.

After a very encouraging campaign in the London and South East Regional 2 Anglia Division, where Tees were grouped with many familiar and longstanding Essex rivals and won 14 out of 22 fixtures, the club have been switched to a 12 team London South East Division where they are the only side north of the Thames.

The change has been brought about because of the relegation from Regional 1 South East of Rochford Hundred and Westcliff, who were placed in Regional 2 Anglia.

In the coming season Thurrock will have 'derby' fixtures against Dartford and Gravesend but for the most part will be further afield in in Kent and Surrey.

It's not the first time Thurrock have been the moveable piece on the RFU's chessboard and the last time they were moved, the switch was partly to blame for a disappointing season, and it contributed to a drop in home attendences and profitability at the club.

The league season will start on Saturday, 7 September with a trip to Battersea Ironsides.

Thurrock's ladies, the T-Birds, will start their season in the Women's Championship South will start their fixtures on Sunday, 15 September with a trip to London Irish.

The full fixture list is here.